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Difference between Diwali in North India and Deepavali in South India

Diwali, the festival of lights, is celebrated throughout India but there is a difference in origin, myth and the way in which it is celebrated. In 2017, Diwali is celebrated on October 18 in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala and parts of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. In North India, it is observed on October 19, 2017.

North India

South India

Dhanteras (Oct 17)

Choti Diwali (Oct 18)

Narak Chaturdashi

Deepavali/ (Oct 18)

Naraka Chaturdashi

Diwali / Lakshmi Puja (Oct 19)

Lakshmi Puja (Oct 19)

Govardhan Puja/ Annakut/

Diwali Padwa (Oct 20)/
Gujarati New Year

Kartik Shudda Padayami /

Bali Pratipada (Oct 20)

Bhai Dooj (Oct 21)

Yama Dwitiya (Oct 21)

The word 'Diwali' is most popularly used in North India and South India it is mostly used as 'Deepavali.' The meaning of both the word is the same.

The Deepavali celebration is a four-day festival in South India and commences on Ashwin Krishna Paksha Chaturdasi. The first day of the festival is known as Naraka Chaturdasi and it commemorates the victory of Lord Krishna over demon Naraka. This day is celebrated as Deepvali in South India and it usually falls on a day before the Diwali in North India - except in some years when the tithi overlaps.

Diwali in North India commemorates the return of Lord Ram to Ayodhya after his exile.

In North India, the Diwali celebration begins two days before the actual Diwali day with the Dhanteras.

The day after Dhanteras is celebrated as Choti Diwali. Usually, the actual Deepavali in South India takes place on this day.

On the Diwali day, Lakshmi puja is held in North India. In South India too Lakshmi puja is held on the same day. The myth is the same – Goddess Lakshmi emerged from Kshira Sagara (Ocean of Milk), when devas and asuras where churning for ‘amrit’.

The day after Diwali in North India is the Govardhan Puja - Annakut, Diwali Padwa is observed on this day. This day in South India is celebrated as Bali Padyami and it is believed that King Mahabali returns to earth on this day to visit his subjects.

The next day is Bhai Dhooj in North India and in South India it is the Yama Dvitiya. On this day sisters invite brothers to their home. This ritual is same in North and South but with a different name and story.